Interested in replacing your windows for energy savings? Options abound — and it’s not just about throwing money at fancy triple-pane windows. Start with energy ratings to compare your various double and triple pane options, then look at other features that will help you conserve or even turn off your heating and cooling system. We can help you find the best window replacement options for each room of the house.
Remember, installation quality determines whether you get the potential energy savings touted by the manufacturers. All window replacement options must be installed with precision and care by window experts, or else your windows may end up with leakage or a shortened lifespan.
Coastal Windows: Strength that Saves Energy
Coastal window replacement options make sense for safety while also reducing energy bills. Instead of dealing with removable storm windows, a replacement option rated for coastal weather gives you reinforcement along with incredible leak protection.
Insulating Gas-Filled Double or Triple Pane Windows
Any double or triple pane window will outperform an old single pane window, but there’s a variety of energy efficiency levels out there. Here’s what to look for:
- Judge window replacement options by their U-factor to compare energy efficiency apples-to-apples.
- Gas types: argon is most common and cost-effective. If you can get a good price on krypton or xenon, the energy savings can pay back the difference.
- Quality matters: the cheapest gas-fills may leak their gases after a decade or so. It’s perfectly harmless, but it means the window starts to lose the added energy efficiency.
Low-E Windows for Hot, Sunny Rooms
Low-emissivity coatings add a virtually invisible layer of silver or other metals, which reflect back certain wavelengths of sunlight. The result: great natural light without that afternoon heat beating down on you.
Pay particular attention to low-E coatings when choosing window replacement options in rooms that get a lot of direct sun or generally are difficult to air condition.
Casement Windows for Ventilation
If it’s easy to crack the window and let in a gentle breeze, you can get away with turning off your air conditioning entirely. Casement or awning windows that open at an angle work exceptionally well in the Bay Area climate, giving you several months a year with the natural cooling of ventilation.
You can ventilate with sliding windows, of course, but the breeze does not flow well unless you happen to have windows on walls that face each other. Of all window replacement options, casement windows give you the most control over and the greatest benefits of ventilation.
Choosing Between Window Replacement Options
If you need help navigating your window replacement options, contact us today. We help homes and businesses in the Sonoma and Marin County area discover the greatest energy savings on new windows.